News24 | ‘His music carried generations’: Grammy-winning Disney duet legend Peabo Bryson dies at 75

American singer-songwriter Peabo Bryson died on Tuesday at age 75.

The R&B/Soul singer is best known for his duets from his Grammy-winning Disney songs, Beauty and the Beast with Celine Dion and A Whole New World with Regina Belle from Aladdin.

According to People magazine, Bryson died surrounded by family days after he suffered a stroke.

“With broken hearts and profound sadness, the family of two-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and balladeer, Peabo Bryson, announces his passing,” the family said in a statement to Variety.

“For more than five decades, Peabo’s extraordinary voice served as the soundtrack to some of life’s most cherished moments. His music carried generations through joyful celebrations, great love stories and enduring moments of comfort and inspiration, creating a legacy that will forever live in the hearts of those who loved him and the countless lives he touched through song.

“We are tremendously moved by the outpouring of love, prayers and support from fans, friends, and colleagues around the world. While our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing how deeply Peabo was loved and how many lives were touched by his voice and his generous spirit. His legacy and music will live on for generations to come.”

Bryson began his music career as the lead singer of Al Freeman and The Upsetters and Moses Dillard and the Tex Town Display, according to his website. In 1976, he released his solo debut album, Peabo. He then signed with Capitol Records and released back-to-back gold albums, Reaching for the Sky and Crosswinds.

In a 1978 interview with Soul magazine, Bryson said he had always been into music as far back as he could remember.

“It’s all I ever wanted to really deal with, and of course, like everyone else, I had to make that decision – I guess when I was around 14 – as to what I was going to get into, career-wise. Well, I’d thought about being a doctor or something like that, but I really felt that music was my thing.”

While Bryson had success with songs like Feel the Fire, Show and Tell, Can You Stop the Rain, and If Ever You’re in My Arms Again, he became best known for his romantic duets with female singers. He recorded an album with Natalie Cole We’re Best Friends in 1979, and two albums with Roberta Flack, Live and More in 1980 and Born to Love in 1983. Other artists include Chaka Khan, Minnie Riperton, Angela Bofill, Lea Salonga and Deborah Gibson.

About the secret to a good duet, Bryson told Tatler Asia in 2015 that “you have to fall a little bit in love with your duet partner”.

“I was very fortunate in